The Sunday News
Yoliswa Dube, Sunday Life Reporter
WHEN the ninja president Winky D (real name Wallace Chirumiko) steps onto the stage, there comes with him a certain aura that is rather captivating.
Before his latest offering Gaffa Life, with hit tracks Disappear and Not Nice, the dancehall Igwe was all about “bhachi ne jean”.
In 2010, he even sang “usina bhachi nejean wakasara setarino”. Now, he has assumed the suit and matching headgear look which is unofficially referred to as Gaffa wear.
The look has become synonymous with him and him alone — he even sings “kapatani kanetsa patown ndini ndinako”.
Gospel artiste Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave was quite the regular looking musician until she collaborated with Zim Dancehall artiste Killer T and assumed the Ras Fungisai tag.
With the song Kana Zvandibata, whose Zim Dancehall feel earned it airplay on various radio stations as well as night spots all over the country, Fungisai’s dress sense drew equal attention.
First, it was an appearance at the Zim Dancehall Awards in the capital and later at a radio station.
She wore what critiques called “outdated shoes which belonged to the 90s” and clothes which did nothing for her figure.
She blamed cyber bullies and social media abusers for the proliferation of the undesirable look.
Fungisai’s fashion faux pas and continuous wardrobe disasters became classic examples of what not to wear.
Then man of the moment Jah Prayzah (real name Mukudzei Mukombe) came onto the scene with his military regalia.
While it was rather basic, again, critiques castigated him for never getting out of his military wear — even at red carpet events.
To this year’s National Arts and Merit Awards, he exchanged his camouflage uniform for a red dress blazer, black pants and a red beret — still staying well within the army dress.
Zimbabwean celebrities have over the years continued to surprise their fans in all manner of regalia, some tasteful and some, not so much.
